My name is Demetria Gonzalez. I began as a Textile and Clothing Manufacturing program student 33 years ago here at RMCTC. Maryann Jakubczyk was my instructor and to this day she has positively impacted my education and career. I graduated from RMCTC in 1993 and returned to do my internship 2 years later for my associate’s degree in Fashion Design and Business Management. I was planning to do more schooling, but at that time RMCTC offered me an instructor position in the Textile and Clothing manufacturing program and started my teaching, Journey.
I was an instructor for 13 years in the sewing program and my current position that I have held for the last 17 years is a paraprofessional. This position lets me help more programs and run our SkillsUSA Organization. With Patricia Rhodenizer as my mentor and SkillsUSA lead advisor, Mrs. R. became another amazing influence in my life! She taught me everything about SkillsUSA and I “grew” up learning a great deal of leadership from her. I have also been a lead SkillsUSA advisor for the last 10+ years. SkillsUSA is an amazing club that has changed students’ lives.
Reading Muhlenberg CTC has been a very big part of my life! The three program areas I work with students in are Sewing and Clothing Manufacturing, Advertising Design, and Reading Muhlenberg CTC Homeland Security & Protective Services. I love working with Tricia Rubin, Aidan Thackray, and Mark Dietrich who are the instructors in these programs. I engage with students in all these programs by helping students sew, constructing garments, running fashion shows, and thumbnails, creating digital art, and hand-drawn pieces, leading patrols and PT, and helping with the Virtual Reality Simulator.
I enjoy working with all the students and staff at RMCTC. I plan to finish the rest of my career by being a big influence on our students and helping them reach their goals on what they want to achieve as their career.
Demetria Gonzalez
RMCTC